Pretty Jane Delivers Pure Magic in Portland
portland, oregon - february 20th, 2025
I caught Pretty Jane on their first West Coast tour on a Thursday night at Portland’s Mission Theater. Walking up the stairs into the venue, I glanced to my right and spotted the trio at the merch table, already chatting away with fans. The Detroit-born, Nashville-based band—Trevor Dalrymple (vocals), Luca DiVergilio (bass), and Ethan Strain (lead guitar)—started releasing music in 2022 and, with just ten songs, have already surpassed 10 million streams.
Trevor stated, “We met because we all dated the same set of twins.” After some initial bitterness over shared exes and similar hair, the boys bonded over a mutual love for art, which sparked the beginning of their musical journey. The indie/alternative band is most known for their single “Two Few Tattoos,” —the song that, admittedly, won me over— and their momentum shows no signs of slowing down with a packed 2025 ahead.
Pretty Jane via Bijan Sabeti via Instagram.
Taking the stage for their opening set dressed cohesively in 70s vintage-inspired pieces, I knew their set wouldn’t disappoint. Trevor sat himself on the bass drum as they began “under your tongue.” After introducing themselves, the band asked the crowd to shout our names in unison. They may have caught one and a half at best, but now we were all acquainted and ready for the show to go on.
Next up was the heavily bass-driven track “Spaced Out,” which was Pretty Jane’s first release. Ethan played the infectious guitar riff and the breaks created a unique groove. The band showed great chemistry, utilizing the entire stage and keeping the crowd captivated. Catching me by surprise, the band went into a cover of “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. The band recently released a studio version of this cover on streaming and YouTube.
In between songs, Trevor said, “Kiss your friend and tip your bartenders.” The trio’s tagline ‘kissyourfriends’ is a motivation for fans to make more bad decisions. A common theme throughout the band's discography is yearning for connections and experiences. “To me, ‘kissing your friends’ is like, Maybe there will be consequences, but go out, do it, and experience those emotions,” Trevor says. Up next was “Quiet,” a more intimate track with lyrics, “You put your hands on me / But you’ll never say that you want it / You spend me like money,” channeling a shoegaze sound.
At the halfway point, the band played some old favorites. “Elmira” displays a complex relationship driven by a hip-swaying groove and dramatic, raspy vocals. Changing the tone, Pretty Jane went into “Shotgun Wedding,” a lively song that’s just as fun to watch live. Instrumentally, this song stood out for me with dynamic drum patterns and the incorporation of the keyboard and synth, making for an upbeat tune. Touring with the band was Bradley Crow (keys and backing vocals) and Ryan Baker (drums). The breakdown before the bridge, paired with the lighter vocal pitch, presented the band’s versatility.
As their set neared its end, Pretty Jane slowed things down with their most emotional song, “folding my clothes,” featuring an acoustic guitar. Before starting, the band took a brief pause for an audience poll on who has mommy or daddy issues, then said, “This song was written by accident.” Trevor explained how, during a studio session for a different track, Luca stepped out to take a call about some family matters. When he returned, the trio scrapped their original idea and wrote a song about loved ones instead. Fans raised their phone flashlights, singing along to the heartfelt lyrics: “Mom I ain’t got long / And I know you’ve been waiting / Been a while since I’ve called.”
The moment I was most excited for—and one of my favorite intros in any song—came when I heard the “Ooo Ooo / Ooo Ooo” of “Two Few Tattoos.” Live, the band played it slower and more guitar-heavy, showcasing Ethan’s artistry. Midway through, they seamlessly blended in a snippet of Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain.” With overlapping guitar chords, the mashup felt effortless, and Trevor’s vocals fit the song beautifully.
For their final number, “Stand So Close,” Trevor ditched his guitar and strutted across the stage. The song, cinematic and perfect for a coming-of-age film, builds with intensity, giving each instrument its moment to shine. The snappy bass and guitar paired with the punchy drums make for a fun closer. In a surprise finale, Luca picked up a saxophone as Trevor switched to bass, capping off the night with a remarkable ending.
From the crowd interactions to band antics, Pretty Jane put on one of the most entertaining live shows that anyone would enjoy. Each member is extremely talented in playing their respective instrument and showcases amazing chemistry as a band. Catch Pretty Jane on tour opening for West 22nd starting in May. They also have a new single, “Spit,” set to release on February 28th, with talks of an EP in the works as well.
